History of United States Congress in Timeline

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. It is a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both chambers convene at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

1901: End of the Gilded Age

In 1901, the Gilded Age came to an end. The Gilded age from 1877 to 1901 was marked by Republican dominance of Congress.

1903: Military move into Panama without congressional approval

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt initiated a military move into Panama without obtaining formal congressional approval, highlighting a point of contention regarding the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in matters of war.

April 8, 1913: Ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment

On April 8, 1913, the Seventeenth Amendment was ratified, mandating the direct popular election of senators. This reduced the difference between the House and Senate in terms of their link to the electorate.

1913: President Wilson delivers State of the Union address in person

In 1913, starting with President Wilson, presidents began personally delivering the State of the Union address as a spoken oration. This marked a change from the previous practice of submitting a written report, thus making it more direct.

1913: The Sixteenth Amendment

In 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment extended congressional power of taxation to include income taxes without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

1929: Reapportionment Act of 1929

In 1929, the Reapportionment Act was established, setting the number of representatives at 435. This act also mandated that representatives be elected from single-member districts and that congressional districts be apportioned among states based on population every ten years using U.S. census results.

1932: Election of Franklin Roosevelt

In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt was elected president, ushering in a period of strong Democratic control and New Deal policies. Roosevelt's election marked a shift in government power towards the executive branch.

1946: Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946

In 1946, the Legislative Reorganization Act ended the practice of the President detailing Executive Branch staff to friendly Senate committees. This practice was used by President Roosevelt to push his agenda in Congress.

1950: President Truman's 'police action' in North Korea

In 1950, following the North Korean invasion, President Truman characterized the American response as a 'police action,' illustrating a shift in how military interventions were defined and authorized, bypassing a formal war declaration from Congress.

1955: Democrats retain a consistent majority in the House

In 1955, the Democrats retained a consistent majority in the House from 1955 to 1994.

1960: Voter turnout in the 1960 election

In 1960, 63% of Americans eligible to vote did so, highlighting a high point in voter turnout.

1960: John F. Kennedy narrowly won the presidency

In 1960, Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy narrowly won the presidency. The power shifted to the Democrats, who dominated both chambers of Congress from 1961 to 1980.

1961: Democrats dominate both chambers of Congress

In 1961, power shifted to the Democrats, who dominated both chambers of Congress from 1961 to 1980. They also retained a consistent majority in the House from 1955 to 1994.

1965: Passage of the Voting Rights Act

In 1965, the passage of the Voting Rights Act opened the possibility for Black, Asian American, Latina and other non-white women candidates to run for Congress.

1970: Time magazine reports on presidential troop deployments

According to Time magazine in 1970, U.S. presidents had ordered troops into action without a formal congressional declaration 149 times, which emphasizes the increasing trend of executive power in military matters.

1970: Start of the Contemporary Era

In 1970, according to political scientist Julian E. Zelizer, the contemporary era of Congress began. This era is one of four main congressional eras, along with the formative, partisan and committee eras.

1970: House expanded delegates

In 1970, the House expanded delegates, along with their powers and privileges representing U.S. citizens in non-state areas, beginning with representation on committees for Puerto Rico's resident commissioner.

1971: Delegate for the District of Columbia authorized

In 1971, a delegate for the District of Columbia was authorized.

1971: Federal Election Campaign Act

In 1971, the Federal Election Campaign Act was established. Lobbying became a big factor despite the act.

1971: Cost of running for Congress in Utah

In 1971, the cost of running for Congress in Utah was $70,000. This provides a baseline for understanding the escalating costs of political campaigns over time.

1972: New delegate positions established for U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam

In 1972, new delegate positions were established for U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

1974: PAC growth

From 1974 to 1984, PACs grew from 608 to 3,803 and donations leaped from $12.5 million to $120 million along with concern over PAC influence in Congress.

1974: Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974

In 1974, Congress passed the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, aiming to restrict presidential power. This act represents an effort by Congress to reassert its authority and control over the budget process.

1974: Richard Nixon's resignation

In 1974, Richard Nixon resigned from office after impeachment proceedings in the House Judiciary Committee indicated his removal from office, this event demonstrates the power of impeachment process.

1974: Amendments to post-Watergate laws

In 1974, post-Watergate laws were amended, meant to reduce the influence of wealthy contributors and end payoffs, but instead, legitimized PACs since they enabled individuals to band together in support of candidates.

1974: Creation of the Congressional Budget Office

In 1974, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) was established as an independent, non-partisan agency by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act. The CBO's purpose is to assist Congress with budget and economic analysis.

1978: Additional delegate for American Samoa added

In 1978, an additional delegate for American Samoa were added.

1980: End of Democratic Domination in Congress

In 1980, the Democratic domination in both chambers of Congress ended. The Democrats dominated both chambers of Congress from 1961 to 1980.

1984: PAC growth

From 1974 to 1984, PACs grew from 608 to 3,803 and donations leaped from $12.5 million to $120 million along with concern over PAC influence in Congress.

1984: Members Elected Since 1984 Covered by FERS

Since 1984, members of Congress elected are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a retirement system funded through taxes and participants' contributions.

1992: Competitive races for House seats in California

In California in 1992, only four of twenty races for House seats were considered highly competitive. It highlights the role of competitive races in elections.

1993: Carol Moseley Braun becomes the first woman of color to reach the Senate

In 1993, Carol Moseley Braun became the first woman of color to reach the Senate.

1993: Michael Kinsley on the erosion of Congress's war power

In 1993, Michael Kinsley asserted that Congress's war power has become the most flagrantly disregarded provision in the Constitution, with the real erosion beginning after World War II. This underscores the ongoing debate regarding the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch concerning military actions.

1994: Partisanship Returns

After 1994, partisanship returned to Congress. It was attributed to slim congressional majorities which discouraged friendly social gatherings in meeting rooms.

1994: End of Democratic Majority in the House

In 1994, the Democratic majority in the House ended. The Democrats retained a consistent majority in the House from 1955 to 1994.

1999: Bill Clinton's impeachment

In 1999, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives, though he was later acquitted by the Senate. This event underscores the use of the impeachment process, and its limitations.

2002: Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

In 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act limited campaign donations but did not limit soft money contributions.

2006: Population disparity between California and Wyoming

In 2006, California had seventy times the population of Wyoming, highlighting a growing population disparity between large and small states, which impacts Senate representation.

2006: Congress drops in Gallup confidence poll

Since 2006, Congress has dropped ten points in the Gallup confidence poll. It indicates a decline in public trust in the legislative body.

2007: PAC donations to Congress members

From 2007 to 2008, 175 members of Congress received "half or more of their campaign cash" from PACs.

2007: Number of federal lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

In 2007, there were approximately 17,000 federal lobbyists in Washington, D.C, illustrating the extent of lobbying and advocacy efforts to influence congressional decisions.

2008: PAC donations to Congress members

From 2007 to 2008, 175 members of Congress received "half or more of their campaign cash" from PACs.

2008: George F. Will calls the Capitol building a "tomb"

In 2008, George F. Will described the Capitol building as a 'tomb for the antiquated idea that the legislative branch matters,' reflecting a critical view on the declining influence of Congress in the face of increasing executive power.

2008: Slight upward trend in voter turnout in the 2008 election

In 2008, there was a slight upward trend in voter turnout, indicating a potential shift in voter engagement.

2009: House expanded delegates

From 1970 to 2009, the House expanded delegates, along with their powers and privileges representing U.S. citizens in non-state areas.

2009: Congress authorized another delegate for the Northern Mariana Islands

In 2009, Congress authorized another delegate for the Northern Mariana Islands.

2009: Report on Lawmaker Trips Abroad at Taxpayer Expense in 2009

In 2009, The Wall Street Journal reported that lawmaker trips abroad at taxpayer expense included spas, $300-per-night extra unused rooms, and shopping excursions.

2009: Americans' familiarity with leaders of Congress in 2009

In 2009, few Americans were familiar with leaders of Congress. It raises questions about public awareness and engagement with their elected officials.

2009: PAC status

In 2009, there were 4,600 business, labor, and special-interest PACs, including ones for lawyers, electricians, and real estate brokers.

2010: Hillary Clinton urges Senate to approve nuclear arms treaty

In 2010, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged her former Senate colleagues to approve a nuclear arms treaty with Russia, illustrating the Senate's role in ratifying treaties and the presidential efforts to influence key votes.

2011: Study suggests evidence of insider trading by members of Congress

In 2011, a study concluded that portfolios of members of Congress outperformed both the market and hedge funds, suggesting possible insider trading. This raises ethical concerns.

2011: Gallup poll reports Congress's approval rating at 10% or below

Since 2011, Gallup poll has reported Congress's approval rating among Americans at 10% or below three times, signaling a low level of public satisfaction.

October 2013: Public opinion of Congress plummets after government shutdown

In October 2013, public opinion of Congress plummeted to 5% after parts of the U.S. government deemed 'nonessential government' shut down. This reflects a strong public disapproval.

October 2013: Government shutdown and risk of default

In October 2013, the government was shut down for several weeks due to Congress being unable to compromise, risking a serious default on debt payments. This caused 60% of the public to say they would "fire every member of Congress".

2013: Mazie Hirono wins

In 2013, Mazie Hirono became the second woman of color to reach the Senate.

2013: Congress characterized as unproductive and gridlocked

In 2013, a report characterized Congress as unproductive, gridlocked, and "setting records for futility".

January 2014: Over Half of Congress Members Reported as Millionaires

In January 2014, it was reported that for the first time, over half of the members of Congress were millionaires, contributing to ongoing criticisms about the wealth of members of Congress and the perception that they are insulated from the financial realities faced by many Americans.

2016: Momentum for women candidates after 2016 presidential election

The 2016 presidential election created momentum for women candidates, resulting in the election of members of The Squad.

2018: Average Annual Pension for Retired Senators and Representatives in 2018

In 2018, the average annual pension for retired senators and representatives under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) was $75,528, while those who retired under FERS, or in combination with CSRS, was $41,208.

2019: Donald Trump's first impeachment

In 2019, President Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives, but acquitted by the Senate. It demonstrates the constitutional process of checks and balances.

2020: Congressional insider trading scandal

In 2020, there was a congressional insider trading scandal, where members of Congress or their family members traded on stocks related to work on their committees. It raises ethical concerns about potential abuse of power.

January 6, 2021: Attack on the United States Capitol

On January 6, 2021, Congress gathered to confirm the election of Joe Biden, when supporters of the outgoing president Donald Trump attacked the building. The session of Congress ended prematurely, and Congress representatives evacuated. Trump supporters occupied Congress until D.C. police evacuated the area.

2021: Kamala Harris becomes the first female President of the Senate

In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first female President of the Senate, which came with her role as the first female Vice President of the United States.